究竟 jiū jìng
“to go to the bottom of a matter; after all; when all is said and done”
adverb, nounHSK 4 · 2021 list level 4
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
究竟 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1407: 究竟 jiūjìng — Level 4; official annotation 4（5） (副、（名）). PDF page 115
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 究竟
究竟 is an adverb used in questions to mean “exactly” or “on earth,” pressing for the real answer. It often comes before the verb or question word, and is common in alternative questions like 去不去. It is stronger and a little more formal than 到底.
例句Example sentences
- 你究竟想不想去？nǐ jiū jìng xiǎng bu xiǎng qù?Do you actually want to go or not?
- 这件事究竟是谁告诉你的？zhè jiàn shì jiū jìng shì shuí gào su nǐ de?Who on earth told you about this?
- 我们究竟应该怎么办？wǒ men jiū jìng yīng gāi zěn me bàn?What exactly should we do?